Taking Levothyroxine at bedtime

[Maybe21]

If you take Levothyroxine at bed time how long after evening meal is OK ?

Also if you have wine between last meal and bedtime does that count - important question of course 😉

[Lalatoot]

2 hours after food and drink. Sorry the wine does count!! It is all to do with absorption. I split my dose and take half at 6 - 7 am and half between 4 and 5pm. You need to leave an hour after taking the dose before eating. That way I can eat late and drink wine till bedtime!

[Maybe21 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[silverfox7]

I’ve heard it depends what the meal consists of and a high protein meal to leave 3 hours. I tried nighttime dosing and I was aware of an improvement but I missed a few late doses by falling asleep so when back to mornings.

[Hidden]

Hello Maybe21, I was curious about that too so I had a geek moment and checked the research. Older research says it takes the stomach approx two hours and fifteen minutes to empty after a medium sized meal. A big meal might be longer. So probably best leaving it at least 2.5 to 3 hours. And yep the wine would count. Alcohol alters levels of TSH and affects the livers ability to do all kinds of important stuff. Some people get on fine with the odd drink. When I was in T4 only, I found that if I had a lot to drink, for example on holiday, it sent my TSH up and made my T4 and T3 drop and I felt worse. So gave up the booze a while back.

Michael

[Maybe21 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Michael - it’s a tricky one . Think I’ll trial taking it late afternoon .I realised after I’d posted it then would interfere with Magnesium I take to help sleep and paracetamol for pain usually last thing . 🤨

[Hidden in reply to Maybe21]

I take mine in the evening and try to leave two hours but the occasional large chunk of chocolate gets eaten after curfew but I'm sure that's good for my emotional well being even if it does muck up absorption😋

[hemp66]

I stop eating and at 20.30 then only water take Levo as the last thing I do before getting into bed , Breakfast anytime after 0600am . Been so I'll the last year couldn't find anything wrong hence read up on Levothroxine look at my meds changed them around exspecaily Lev , you need a good 2hrs of empty stomach either side of taking it ,yes I have my life back even Dr couldn't believe it .

[Hidden in reply to hemp66]

That’s great news, do you put the change down to shifting to evening dosing and watching when you eat?

Michael

[hemp66 in reply to Hidden]

Not what I eat but when I eat around taking my levo.E.G I have at least 3hrs water only before I take it because it's night that gives me at least 7hrs after water only,levo is very sapsepital to all other meds and some food definitely needs empty stomach good luck I feel so much better can

[Hidden in reply to hemp66]

Nice to hear a positive story

[hemp66 in reply to Hidden]

Yes

[Hidden]

I think it needs 4 hours after tea, coffee or anything containing calcium

[hemp66 in reply to Hidden]

From 2-4 either side

[Purpledreamer]

Hemp66 it is so rare to hear people say things like “I have my life back” are you saying that you are a hypothyroid patient no longer suffering with symptoms? Please tell us more!! 🧐 x

[hemp66 in reply to Purpledreamer]

Changed to taking Levo at night levo. Needs an empty stomach so by taking at night stop food or hot drinks at least 3hrd before taking levo.water only hence because it's over night you don't eat till breakfast

[hjh88]

I swapped my dose to nights because I find it easier. Not sure if it’s made a discernible difference to my symptoms but it just works better for me. I always wake for the loo in the night so just have a glass of water and my tablets on the bedside table ready to go. Usually end up taking them between 2-5am.

Think it very much depends on what works for you, both practically and in terms of how the dose feels. It didn’t feel any different for me but is easier if I time it this way. If it did make a difference to how you felt but was a bit of an effort, it might be worth it.